From Malaysia to Australia: Influencing Harm Reduction in Southeast Asia

A leading infectious disease expert, Professor Dato’ Adeeba Kamarulzaman has led transformative health initiatives across Southeast Asia, focusing on HIV, harm reduction, and prison health. Addressing Malaysia’s HIV epidemic, driven largely by injecting drug use, she championed the establishment of the country’s pioneering Harm Reduction Program. Her efforts extended to tackling NRCH’ the health challenges faced by incarcerated populations, recognising the vital link between prevention and effective harm reduction.

In her keynote address, Professor Kamarulzaman will share the journey of implementing harm reduction practices in Malaysia, highlighting the challenges and successes of integrating evidence-based approaches into complex policy environments. She will also discuss the critical role of prison health in combating drug use and infectious diseases, demonstrating how systemic reforms can improve outcomes for marginalised populations.

Acknowledging the influence of Australian harm reduction models on her work, Professor Kamarulzaman will call on Australia to strengthen its leadership by advocating for wider adoption of evidence-based drug policies across Southeast Asia.

This thought-provoking presentation will explore the power of collaboration, evidence, and advocacy in transforming public health, offering insights into addressing the needs of vulnerable communities through innovative policy and practice.

Professor Dato’ Dr Adeeba  Kamarulzaman | Pro Vice Chancellor & President of Monash University, Monash University Malaysia

Professor Adeeba Kamarulzaman is an infectious diseases physician and is presently the Pro Vice Chancellor and President of Monash University Malaysia.

She has played a leading role in the response to the HIV epidemic in Malaysia and globally and has held numerous leadership roles in both Malaysia and globally including as President of the International AIDS Society between 2020-2022. She is presently Vice Chair of the WHO Science Council, is Commissioner of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and the UNAIDS Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics. Her achievements have been recognised through several national and international awards including the Merdeka Award and an Honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, Monash University for her contributions to medicine and as a health advocate.

This Keynote Presentation is Sponsored by